U.S. patent number 4,654,927 [Application Number 06/678,346] was granted by the patent office on 1987-04-07 for side sweeping brushing vacuum machine.
Invention is credited to Harry E. Novinger.
United States Patent |
4,654,927 |
Novinger |
April 7, 1987 |
Side sweeping brushing vacuum machine
Abstract
Semi-automatic self-propelled side sweeping mode of operation is
provided by any of three forms of rotating members supporting and
propelling a nozzle body over a work surface. Two of these members
are designed as load bearing brush rolls while cleaning or
polishing, one is a smooth cylinder and brush, the other is a dense
brush-covered roll. These nozzle propelling members are arranged as
pairs in tandem or in dual to their direction of travel over a work
surface. The third form may operate in additional modes. Its
propelling members comprise at least one pair of wheels. Each wheel
is coaxial to a brush roll and may rotate with the brush roll or
may free-wheel until clutched to rotate with the brush roll through
linkage responsive to operator urging. An elongated handle is on
the nozzle pointed in substantially the same direction as the
nozzle propelling members. Operator urging of the handle, in a
twisting action, will tilt the nozzle to increase the friction of
one propelling member over that of the other on the work surface.
This results in nozzle travel in the direction of rotation of the
propelling member, in circular sweeps about the operator. Urging of
the handle by twisting also may increase the speed of rotation of
one nozzle propelling member by variable electrical switch to
effect side sweeps in two directions when each propelling member is
individually driven by an electrical motor.
Inventors: |
Novinger; Harry E. (Englewood,
CO) |
Family
ID: |
24722409 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/678,346 |
Filed: |
December 5, 1984 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/340.2;
15/340.4; 15/384; 15/52.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L
5/30 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47L
5/30 (20060101); A47L 5/22 (20060101); A47L
005/28 () |
Field of
Search: |
;15/384,340,5C,49C |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Moore; Chris K.
Claims
I claim:
1. Brushing apparatus, comprising:
a nozzle;
at least one brush;
means rotatably connected to the nozzle, comprising cylindrical
members with axes substantially parallel to a work surface, for
propelling the nozzle over the work surface and for mounting the at
least one brush;
the rotatable members including at least one brush roll for
mounting the at least one brush and further including at least one
wheel type propelling member coaxial to the at least one brush
roll;
power means for rotating the rotatable means;
control means for controlling the nozzle and the rotatable means
over the work surface including means forming an elongated handle
on the nozzle with its longitudinal axis aligned with a plane
perpendicular to the work surface, and the handle axis further
aligned about 45 degrees to the axes of the rotatable means, and
the plane aligned substantially parallel to the axes of the
rotatable means; and,
the control means responsive to operator urging so as to effect
powered side sweeps of the nozzle over the work surface in
directions perpendicular to the axes of the rotatable means and to
the plane of the elongated handle means.
2. The invention of claim 1, wherein; the rotatable members include
twin brush rolls with the at least one brush including two brushes
one being mounted on each of the twin brush rolls, and the at least
one wheel type propelling member includes two wheel type propelling
members one being coaxial to each brush roll.
3. The invention of claim 2, including; vacuum means for providing
suction and debris removal.
4. The invention of claim 3, wherein; the power means includes at
least one motor located approximate the nozzle, the twin brush
rolls are in tandem, the elongated handle is hinged to the nozzle,
the rotatable means includes at least two wheel type propelling
members, and the power means further includes clutch means
operatively associated with the control means for clutch rotation
of the propelling members at variable speeds for the powered side
sweeps.
5. Brushing apparatus, comprising:
a nozzle;
at least one brush;
means rotatably connected to the nozzle, comprising cylindrical
members with axes substantially parallel to a work surface, for
propelling the nozzle over the work surface and for mounting the at
least one brush;
power means for rotating the rotatable means;
control means for controlling the nozzle and the rotatable means
over the work surface including means forming an elongated handle
on the nozzle with its longitudinal axis aligned with a plane
perpendicular to the work surface, the handle axis further aligned
about 45 degrees to the axes of the rotatable means, and the plane
aligned substantially parallel to the axes to the rotatable
means;
the control means responsive to operator urging so as to effect
powered side sweeps of the nozzle over the work surface in
directions perpendicular to the axes of the rotatable means and to
the plane of the elongated handle;
the rotatable members including twin brush rolls with the at least
one brush including two brushes, one being mounted on each of the
twin brush rolls;
vacuum means for providing suction and debris removal; and,
the power means including at least one motor on the nozzle, the
twin brush rolls being in tandem, the elongated handle is hinged to
the nozzle, the rotatable means further including at least one
wheel type propelling member fixed to rotate with each of the brush
rolls, and the power means further includes electrical switch means
operatively associated with the control means for differential
speed control of the rotatable means.
6. Brushing apparatus, comprising:
a nozzle;
at least one brush;
rotatable means for supporting and propelling the nozzle over a
work surface and for mounting the at least one brush, rotatably
connected to the nozzle and comprising cylindrical members with
axes substantially parallel to the work surface;
the rotatable members include at least one brush roll for mounting
the at least one brush and further includes at least one wheel type
propelling member coaxial to the at least one brush roll;
power means for rotating the rotatable means;
an elongated handle member on the nozzle, having its longitudinal
axis disposed in alignment with a plane perpendicular to the work
surface and at about 45 degrees to the axes of the rotatable
members and the plane aligned substantially parallel to the axes of
the rotatable members, for control of the nozzle and the rotatable
means; and,
the nozzle and the rotatable means responsive to operator urging of
the elongated handle members for self propulsion in path directions
over the work surface perpendicular to the axes of the rotatable
member and plane of the elongated handle member.
7. The invention of claim 6, wherein; the at least one brush roll
includes twin brush rolls with the at least one brush including two
brushes one being on each of the brush rolls, and the at least one
wheel type propelling member includes two wheeltype propelling
members one being coaxial to each brush roll.
8. The invention of claim 7, including; vacuum means for providing
suction and debris removal and the brush rolls rotatable in
opposite directions in respect to each other.
9. The invention of claim 8, wherein; the power means includes at
least one motor located approximate the nozzle, the twin brush
rolls are in tandem, the elongated handle members is hinged to the
nozzle, and the power means further includes clutch means
operatively associated with the elongated handle members for clutch
rotation of the wheel type propelling members.
10. The invention of claim 7, wherein; the power means includes at
least one motor on the nozzle, the twin brush rolls are in tandem
and rotatable in opposite directions, the elongated handle means is
hinged to the nozzle, and the elongated handle means includes hand
grip means on the elongated handle means rotatable to the elongated
handle means and operatively associated with the power means for
rotation of the wheel type propelling members at variable speeds
for the self propulsion.
11. Brushing apparatus, comprising:
a nozzle;
at least one brush;
rotatable means for supporting and propelling the nozzle over a
work surface and for mounting the at least one brush, rotatably
connected to the nozzle and comprising cylindrical members with
axes substantially parallel to the work surface;
power means for rotating the rotatable means;
an elongated handle member on the nozzle, having its axis disposed
in alignment with a plane perpendicular to the work surface and at
about 45 degrees to the axes of the rotatable members and the plane
aligned substantially parallel to the axes of the rotatable
members, for control of the nozzle and the rotatable means;
the nozzle and the rotatable means responsive to operator urging of
the elongated handle member for self propulsion in path directions
over the work surface perpendicular to the axes of the rotatable
members and plane of the elongated handle member;
the rotatable members includes twin brush rolls with the at least
one brush including two brushes one being mounted on each of the
brush rolls;
vacuum means for providing suction and debris removal and the brush
rolls rotatable in opposite directions in respect to each other;
and,
the power means includes at least one motor on the nozzle, the twin
brush rolls are in tandem, the elongated handle member is hinged to
the nozzle, the rotatable members includes at least one wheel type
propelling member fixed to rotate with each of the brush rolls, and
the power means further includes electrical switch means
operatively associated with the elongated handle member for
differential speed control of the rotatable means.
12. Brushing apparatus, comprising:
a nozzle;
at least one brush;
means rotatably connected to the nozzle comprising cylindrical
members with axes substantially parallel to a work surface, for
propelling the nozzle over the work surface and for mounting the at
least one brush;
power means for rotating the rotatable means;
control means for controlling the nozzle and the rotatable means
over the work surface including means forming an elongated handle
member on the nozzle with its longitudinal axis aligned with a
plane perpendicular to the work surface, the handle axis further
aligned about 45 degrees to the axes of the rotatable members, and
the plane aligned substantially parallel to the axes of the
rotatable members;
the control means responsive to operator urging so as to effect
powered side sweeps of the nozzle over the work surface in
directions perpendicular to the axes of the rotatable members and
to the plane of the elongated handle member; and,
the power means includes at least one motor located approximate the
nozzle, the rotatable members includes twin brush rolls in tandem
and rotatable in opposite directions, the at least one brush
including two brushes one being mounted on each of the twin brush
rolls, and the power means further includes belt means for belt
transmission of power to rotate the rotatable members.
13. The invention of claim 12 wherein; the elongated handle member
is hinged to the nozzle, the rotatable members including at least
one wheel type propelling member coaxial with each of the twin
brush rolls, and the control means includes hand grip means on the
elongated handle member rotatable with respect to the elongated
handle member and operatively associated with the rotatable members
to vary the speed of the at least one wheel type propelling member
for enabling the operator urging.
14. Brushing apparatus, comprising:
a nozzle;
at least one brush;
rotatable means for supporting and propelling the nozzle over a
work surface and for mounting the at least one brush, rotatably
connected to the nozzle and comprising cylindrical members with
axes substantially parallel to the work surface;
power means for rotating the rotatable means;
an elongated handle member on the nozzle, having its longitudinal
axis disposed in alignment with a plane perpendicular to the work
surface and at about 45 degrees to the axes of the rotatable
members and the plane aligned substantially parallel to the axes of
the rotatable members, for control of the nozzle and the rotatable
means;
the nozzle and the rotatable means responsive to operator urging of
the elongated handle members for self propulsion in path directions
over the work surface perpendicular to the axes of the rotatable
member and plane of the elongated handle member;
the rotatable members includes twin brush rolls with the at least
one brush including two brushes, one being mounted on each of the
brush rolls;
the power means includes at least one motor on the nozzle, and the
twin brush rolls are in tandem and rotatable in opposite
directions;
the elongated handle member is hinged to the nozzle, the rotatable
members including at least one wheel type propelling member coaxial
with each brush roll, and the elongated handle member includes hand
grip means on the elongated handle member rotatable with respect to
the elongated handle member and operatively associated with the
hand grip rotatable means for clutch rotation of the wheel type
propelling members at variable speeds for self propulsion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to brush vacuum cleaning and brush polishing
apparatus comprising two brush rolls in a nozzle housing arranged
with parallel axes in tandem or in dual in respect to the path of
motion over a work surface, normally a floor. An elongated handle
controls the nozzle. The handle is substantially pointed in the
same direction of the brush rolls. Nozzle and brush roll path
motions are substantially perpendicular to the nozzle, rolls and
handle; but, is modified by operator holding of the long handle
causing a circular nozzle side sweep about the operator. The nozzle
is propelled by at least two nozzle weight supporting brush rolls
of special design or by at least two nozzle weight supporting
wheels driven through clutch or locked to turn with the rolls by
the same power source as the brush rolls. The two nozzle propelling
members rotate in opposite directions. Their friction on a work
surface is made differential by operator urging of the handle. The
member under greater friction propels the nozzle. Motors for power
are mounted on the nozzle or may be mounted on the handle by use of
rigid or flexible remoting power shafts.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
Twin brush rolls in tandem are well known in the art. Twin brush
rolls in dual were not found. Several machines with horizontal roll
axes in tandem, have elongated handles on their nozzles or housings
for floor or wall use, but their handles are mounted parallel to
their paths of motion on their work surfaces unlike the handle of
the instant invention being perpendicular to the path of
motion.
Power drive systems for counter rotation of two brush rolls are
widely known when driven by one motor. The first test model leading
to this invention used a kitchen mixer worm gear transmission
driving miniature brush rolls adaptable to the invention. Lex, in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,419,784 discloses such a transmission but
unsuitable handle for floor use on the nozzle. Young, in U.S. Pat.
No. 1,596,041 shows a drive which is adaptable for counter rotation
of tandem rolls. A suitable transmission for two rolls in-dual
arrangement was not found in the art.
Freiheit, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,624,861 does use counter rotating
rolls and a handle to "shift the weight of the device from one to
the other of the brushes, thus tending to move the machine
rearwardly or forewardly". He does not suggest his rolls are
designed for the purpose of supporting the weight of his nozzle
while also propelling the nozzle as characteristic of the rolls of
the present invention. Further, his handle does shift the weight
much as does the instant invention but he does not so much as hint
orienting his handle perpendicular to its path of motion and to
that of the rolls as in the instant invention. Novinger, in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,430,768 provides for deep set brush bristles and
miniaturization of brush rolls adaptable to the present invention.
None of the art was found to suggest the present invention's nozzle
supporting and propelling characteristics of the present
invention's brush rolls which in one form have rounded cylinder
ends and smooth cylinder surfaces for easy spinning over soft work
surfaces; and, in another form, has brush bristles dense enough or
stiff enough to support the nozzle and to propel it for scrubbing
and polishing.
None of the art suggests structure for lateral nozzle sweeps,
relative the operator, which facilitates: fast work production
rates resulting from controlled sweep speeds over large or small
areas with few operator steps, a versatile nozzle shape allowing
access under and about furniture without use of special
attachments, and an easy and pleasant experience derived from
semi-automatic built in self-propelled side sweeps.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention comprehends a side sweeping mode of operation
in floor type brush vacuum cleaning and brush scrubbing and brush
polishing apparatus comprising twin brush rolls disposed in a
nozzle housing with axes parallel and usually horizontal and
arranged in tandem or in dual in respect to the path of motion over
a work surface, normally a floor.
An elongated handle is on the nozzle housing the two brush rolls.
The handle is pointed in substantially the same direction as the
axes of the two brush rolls because the center of the handle lies
in a plane perpendicular to the work surface and substantially
parallel to the axis of each brush roll.
The path of motion of the brush rolls, the nozzle and the handle is
in lateral circular side sweeps of any length about the operator.
The motion is self-propelled by nozzle propelling members.
The nozzle propelling members maybe of two forms of brush rolls.
Both forms are designed to support the weight of the nozzle and to
drive the nozzle and while doing so, also act as cleaning or
polishing members. Nozzle propelling members also may include a
form of wheel coaxial to the brush roll in the nozzle and driven by
the same power source driving the coaxial brush roll. This wheel
may be locked to rotate whenever the brush roll rotates or may
free-wheel until clutched to rotate with the brush roll. Both forms
are responsive to operator urging of the elongated handle.
The nozzle propelling members are rotatably fixed to the nozzle.
They rotate in opposite directions and those on one side of the
nozzle provide propelling traction at any one time and in one
direction being responsive to handle twist or rotation by the
operator. The side having the greater friction on the work surface
is the side providing semiautomatic self-propulsion of the nozzle
in side sweeps.
The nozzle propelling members are driven by one or more electric
motors mounted on the nozzle or mounted on the handle. When on the
handle, the motor or motors powers the nozzle propelling members by
rigid or flexible shaft. In most of the embodiments, only one
propelling member is located on each side of the nozzle. However,
in one form when the brush roll is employed only to brush and the
nozzle propelling member is wheel type, there may be two on each
side of the nozzle. In the forms of the invention wherein the
handle is hinged, one or two supporting wheels, not of the
propelling type, are preferred to support the rear of the nozzle,
and in forms, may be used at the front of the nozzle to
advantage.
The brush rolls, and in other forms, the brush rolls and the wheel
propelling members may rotate no faster than half the speed of
those machines in the prior art having only one brush roll. This is
because there are two opposing brush rolls in the present invention
and both clean substantially equally well unless the side sweeps
are made at faster than designed speeds.
The sweep speed is dependent on the amount of urging of the handle.
In the form of the invention wherein the friction of the nozzle
propelling members is responsive to twisting of handle for tilting
the nozzle to place a greater weight on one side, the greater the
urging, the greater the tilt and the greater the sweep speed. Both
propelling members rotate at the same speed when being driven by
one motor. In the forms wherein the nozzle propelling members are
individually driven by separate motors, the variable electrical
switch may be designed for similar amounts of handle urging so as
to speed up one motor, slow one or combination thereof; or without
the switch, the handle can be urged to provide tilt of the nozzle
to induce the friction. In all embodiments of the invention, the
nozzles propelling members are responsive to natural operator hand
urging in at least one form and in some more than one in the
selection of short, long, slow or fast sweeps.
The brush rolls designed for nozzle propelling have special
characteristics to not abrade soft floor surfaces as will be seen.
One type of brush roll, not used as a nozzle propelling member
because it is coaxial with a wheel type nozzle propelling member,
may be a conventional brush roll from the prior art.
The elongated, low profile nozzle is advantageously adapted for
operator use of only one arm in the lateral sweeps relative the
operator. The nozzle is narrow for easy entry between objects by
manual push and pull. The need to push and pull is infrequenct but
when required, is also easily performed with only one operator arm.
The powered rotation of the propelling members combined with their
rounded cylindrical ends, and being aligned with the handle and the
operator's arm, allow easy movements in all directions across the
work surface.
Another object is to provide apparatus not subject to the
disadvantages outlined above for the prior art. Still another and a
preferred object is to provide structure for improved utility over
the assemblages, bulky and difficult to use machines of the prior
art, while providing for a faster and a more enjoyable experience
to the operator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent
from the following description taken in connection with the
following specification and accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the self propelled side sweeping
apparatus on a work surface. It includes a fragmentary view of a
general embodiment of the invention for illustrating directional
arrangements of handle to nozzle, to nozzle propelling members and
to direction of nozzle movement.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal side view of a load bearing and brush roll
type nozzle propelling member and certain associated elements taken
along line L--L in FIG. 3. The illustration is partly in section,
partly in perspective, and fragmentary where clarity and
conventional elements allow simplicity.
FIG. 3 is a similar drawing of the bottom of the structure of FIG.
2.
FIG. 4 is a similar drawing of a front view of the structure in
FIG. 2, particularly directed to the structure of the twin load
bearing brush roll type nozzle propelling members in tandem taken
along line M--M in FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a similar drawing of a side view of the same nozzle
propelling member as in FIG. 2, but combining alternative
transmission and power members adapted to location on the handle,
and associated power remoting members.
FIG. 6 is a similar drawings and partly diagrammatic of the rear
end of FIG. 5 taken along line P--P of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a similar drawing of a rear view of FIG. 5 and partly
broken away to show the belt drive.
FIG. 8 is a similar drawing of an alternative form of remoting
power by flexible shaft compared to the rigid shaft of FIG. 5.
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal view of the load bearing nozzle propelling
brush rolls of FIG. 2, but here in dual instead of in tandem as in
FIG. 2. The drawing is partly in section and the more conventional
members partly in perspective or fragmentary clarity.
FIG. 10 is a schematic and partly diagrammatic drawing of the front
view of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of an alternative form of handle
and motor arrangements of apparatus with a mode of operation of
that of FIG. 2.
FIG. 12 is schematic rear view of an alternative form of the
structure of FIG. 4 with twin motors above the nozzle.
FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of the structure of FIG. 12.
FIG. 14 is a schematic end view of an alternative form of the
structure of FIG. 12 with the twin motors mounted in the nozzle
between the nozzle propelling members.
FIG. 15 is a schematic side view of an alternative form of the
structure of FIG. 9 with twin motors mounted above the nozzle.
FIG. 16 is a schematic bottom view of an alternative wheel type of
nozzle propelling member to the foregoing brush roll type nozzle
propelling members.
FIG. 17 is a schematic side view of the structure of FIG. 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIG. 1 of
the drawings, only major members are illustrated in a general
structure of a new mode of operation. The main purpose is to
illustrate the novel nozzle shape in its side sweeping movements on
a work surface about the operator. The illustration is also to show
the directional arrangements of the handle to the nozzle, or the
nozzle to the propelling members which also support the weight of
the mozzle and the weight imposed upon the nozzle, and the
direction of these members to their direction of movement.
The major members are generally designated as follows; the nozzle
10, the two counter or opposite rotating combined nozzle propelling
members and brush rolls 11, the elongated handle 12 and power
source motor 13.
Brush rolls 11 are arranged with their axis parallel and in tandem
with respect to their direction of side sweeping movement over the
work surface. Brush rolls 11 also support the weight of nozzle 10
and, in this embodiment, do a double job by also propelling the
nozzle.
Handle 12 is fixed on nozzle 10 here because nozzle 10 has no rear
support wheel as normally required when the handle is hinged for
movement relative nozzle 10. Handle 12 carries a debris duct and
container, and electric motor 13. Motor 13 drives a suction pump
and drives nozzle propel brush rolls 11 by remote fixed or flexible
shafts. Reduction or step-down and counter-rotating transmissions
are involved as will be seen.
In this embodiment, the operator twists the handle, usually less
than 4 degrees rotation, in the selected direction of sweep. This
tilts nozzle 10 placing greater weight on the lower side nozzle
propelling member 11. The greater the differential friction of the
lower nozzle propelling member 11 on the work surface to that of
its twin, the faster the nozzle sweeps in the selected direction.
The operator urges handle 12 back to neutral or horizontal or equal
friction of the nozzle propel members to stop the sweep. In all the
embodiments, of this invention, the nozzle propelling members are
responsive to the same natural urgings of the handle in making
semi-automatic side sweeps and some embodiments provide additional
means of response as will be seen.
More specifically, referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the invention
comprehends the use of such a side sweeper in the form of a vacuum
cleaner much like FIG. 1 but with the motor 13 on nozzle 10. This
still allows a low profile front nozzle portion for entry under low
set objects.
The same two brush rolls 11 are also designed with load bearing
characteristics and not only brush clean but also propel nozzle 10
in side sweeps as nozzle propelling members 11. They are provided
with smooth cylindrical surfaces, and rounded cylindrical ends. The
smooth surfaces including the shoulder are low friction type or
treated so as to allow constant rotation on carpeting and on other
soft work surfaces with minimal friction during side sweeps. Short
push-pull movements, in directions parallel to their axes as may be
necessary to enter confined areas, are also allowed to be easily
made manually. Movements in all directions are made very easily.
The side sweeps are semi-automatic. The occasional push and pull is
in line with the operator's arm and rotating of the propelling
members makes the movements easier when rotating than when not
rotating.
Referring to FIG. 4, at least one brush bristle strip 8 is deep set
and fixed in cavity 9 in each roll 11 on a helical angle of about
20 degrees. Cavity 9 has a side and shoulder leading the brush in
rotation and a side and shoulder following when of a gentle helical
preferred shape. The shoulder following the brush must be well
rounded to not abrade the pile of carpeting. Cavity 9 may be a cone
with a group of bristles deeply set and fixed therein. When a cone,
multiple cones are required and their following shoulders are well
rounded.
Brush strip 8 maybe a strip having conventional characteristics.
Tests show the bristles should be at least one half inch in length
and extend about one eight inch beyond the roll 11 cylinder for
optional cleaning and suitable traction for self propulsion. The
shoulder following is located close behind the strip and this
rounded shoulder is curved away from the strip to also allow the
bristles to flex by work surface friction and completely wrap upon
the shoulder with few, if any, of the bristle ends extending beyond
the surface of rolls 11. The bristles are substantially
perpendicular to the roll axis.
When the operator urges handle 12 to the left for example, nozzle
10 tilts causing nozzle propelling member 11A to bear more load
than member 11B. The greater the differential load of 11A to 11B,
the greater the friction and the faster the nozzle sweep. This
embodiment drives both propelling members 11 at the same speed. The
speed need not be quite 50% of the speed of brush rolls in dual as
will be seen in FIG. 9 because both brush rolls 11 traverse the
same swath, cleaning while propelling, at the same speed as when
not sweeping. The test further showed when the bristles were
extended more than one eighth inch beyond the cylinder of brush
rolls 11, the friction and the speed of sweep increased. When the
additional brush strips were installed, the change from neutral to
sweep was more abrupt. Stiffened bristles further increased the
friction. The wider the cavity, the greater the friction. A wide
cavity with no brush cleans better than conventional nozzles
without powered rolls apparently because of the carpet
vibration.
The width of cavity 9 should correspond to the diameter and length
roll 11 and the weight of nozzle 10. In tests, the foot print
pressure of rolls under one inch diameter and 113/4 inches long
made swaths almost aidentical to those under the same load, length
and 2.5 inches diameter. The ability to pick up dry cement and sand
mix was better for the smaller diameter until a baffle was
installed between the bigger rolls. The baffle in the much wider
set rolls 11 in FIG. 14 is similar but wider than the one used in
FIG. 4 in the tests. The 113/4 inch length brush rolls were chosen
as the test comparison length. Earlier, six inch rolls were used
which did not allow a long enough low profile nozzle reach with the
nose of the nozzle when the motors were placed on the nozzle as in
FIG. 13. The six inch roll cleaned the test area in less than half
the time of the conventional and widely used 113/4 inch roll used
in the comparison machine.
An alternative combined brush roll type propelling member is not
shown because it has a conventional brush roll appearance much like
some made except for many more bristles than is conventionally
used. It evolved from the foregoing tests of increasing the
friction when the one brush roll shown in FIG. 2 received six brush
strips. The dense mass of bristles did not let the cylinder reach
the carpet surface. The friction was so great it can be used only
on hard surfaces as a scrubber and as a polisher but still function
also as a nozzle propelling member with horizontal axis.
FIG. 2 further illustrates the arrangements of a conventional motor
13, combination reduction gear and belt transmissions 14, suction
pump 15 and two brush rolls 11 performing also as nozzle support
and propelling members 11. The one conventional motor 13 is able to
power both rolls and power a suction pump because the rolls rotate
approximately half the speed as in single roll machines and because
of the light weight structure. The smooth surfaces of rolls 11, to
the operator's hand, have less friction when rotating than when not
rotating; apparently due to brush resistance in the static
posture.
Brush 8 and shoulders 9 are shown only as lines in FIG. 3 for
simplicity. The elongated handle 12 is long enough for a standing
operator. The center line of the handle is preferred to lie in a
vertical plane which is parallel to the axes of the two nozzle
propelling members 11, defined as 11A and 11B in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.
Handle 12 is hinge fixed to nozzle 10 with bolt 16 for raising and
lowering the hand grip end as may be desired.
Rear supporting wheel 17 is required when handle 12 is hinged, the
nozzle now is not balanced as by a fixed handle. Front supporting
wheel 18 may be provided when desired but diminishes the ability of
nozzle 10 to sweep and clean under wall mounted heaters and the
like. If used, it may be much smaller in width. These wheels are
also rounded for the short push and pull movements occasionally
required. Further tests may show a need for use of the wheel nozzle
propelling members 52A and 52B as in FIG. 16 to supplement nozzle
propelling members 11A and 11B in FIG. 2 because propelling members
52 free wheel until selectively powered as nozzle propelling
members. Wheels 17 and 18 are rotatably fixed to nozzle 10 by
bearings 19 in any conventional manner. Conventional
omni-directional wheels or rollers were tested but the design on
hand was not acceptable, but others may be desirable.
Arrows show the general debris flow path defined by conventional
nozzle and handle duct 20. Duct 20 is flexible adjacent hinge bolt
16 and carries debris from the work surface, through the nozzle to
debris container 25 located on handle 12 or any conventional
position. Suction pump 15 is driven by shaft 21, which is driven by
transmission 14, which is driven by motor 13. Transmission 14
drives nozzle propelling members 11 through pulleys and belt 14A, B
and C and shaft 22. It is a conventional type transmission similar
to Lex as earlier cited. Such transmissions wherein one motor
drives two shafts for counter rotation abound as in the kitchen
food mixer and as by Young above cited. Conventional type roll
bearing 23 rotatably fixes and connects members 11 to nozzle 10 and
shaft 22.
The low profile of the nose portion of nozzle 10 is illustrated by
FIG. 2. The nozzle may be miniature or jumbo size depending on the
nozzle propelling members 11 size. The tests suggest all sizes
clean equally well on long and short carpet piles because the
bristles of the propelling members 11 can fully bend on the roll
shoulder causing only slightly more resistance on short pile as on
long pile carpeting. The brushes on rolls 11 reach all pile lengths
equally; thus, do not require adjustments even on irregular length
bristles.
FIG. 3 illustrates the general dimensions of nozzle margin brush
strip 24. These brush strips 24 brush close to furniture and walls
where the path of rotating roll brush 8 doesn't reach. This is
easily seen in FIG. 4. Brush strips 24 may be adjusted in height by
conventional types of bias slots and rivits 24B and brush adjusting
handle 24A. Nozzle 10 maybe tilted more than 5 degrees for rapid
sweeping, this adjustment of brush strips 24 allows greater than
normal sweep speeds but less side edge cleaning at the end of
sweeps where the nose of the nozzle cannot be used. Roll brush 8
brushes substantially even with the nose portion of nozzle 10. A
thin rubber strip may be substituted for brush 24 in certain
operations.
FIG. 4 better shows debris nozzle duct baffle 26. This portion of
duct 20 forms the upper duct wall in the nozzle for optimal
distribution of suction over the length of the nozzle as seen in
FIG. 2 at 26.
FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 illustrate two embodiments wherein power is
remoted as characterised by FIG. 1. Most of the members in FIGS. 2,
3 and 4 are used here although power member 13 is located on handle
12. Remoting the power allows a lower nozzle profile for reaching
under furniture. It requires use of rigid or flexible shafts of a
few inches in length. A very short length of about two inches is
shown in a third embodiment in FIG. 11.
Motor 13 drives rigid shaft 32 which is rotatably fixed for support
to handle 12 by bearing 32A. Pulley 33 is on shaft 32 as better
seen in FIG. 7. Belt 28 drives pulley 27 for a reduction in motor
speed when designed here rather than at motor 13. Pulley 27 drives
its shaft 29 which, through bearing 23, drives brush roll 11A also
performing as nozzle propelling member 11A. Gear transmission 30
may be any conventional gear or belt transmission designed for the
purpose of rotating the other twin roll 11B at the same speed but
in opposite direction to 11A. This is better illustrated, in gear
form, in FIG. 6; wherein, 30A, B, C and D are in mesh, with 30A and
30D driving their respective rolls 11. Conventional means support
the four gears in transmission and housing 30.
Handle 12 is hinge fixed to nozzle 10 by bolt 31 as in FIG. 7.
Debris duct 20A is made flexible adjacent to the hinged area.
Nozzle support wheel 17 is mounted as in FIG. 2 to distribute the
weight of handle 12. This wheel 17 is not necessary should handle
12 be rigidly fixed to nozzle 10.
As in FIG. 2, the remoting power structures of FIGS. 5 and 8 may,
with a change to brush rolls 11 having a smaller diameter cylinder
so as to not be of load bearing design, be connected to the wheel
type nozzle propelling member structure of FIGS. 16 and 17.
FIG. 8, more specifically, is a second remoting power embodiment of
the invention. Remote power shaft 33 is a conventional designed
flexible shaft. Oil cover 33A protects and braces shaft 33. This is
substantially the main difference between the structure of FIG. 8
and FIG. 5. Handle 12A carries debris duct 20B; both may be made
flexible. A bent rod rotatable up to at least 180 degrees may be
fixed for rotation on such a flexible handle for temporary holding
of the nozzle in various oblique positions as desired. Transmission
30 is driven by shaft 33. This structure is adaptable to two small
motors mounted on handle 12A, whereby each motor drives individual
flexible shaft 33 which drives individual brush roll 11 also
performing as nozzle propel member 11. These embodiments provide
simple, light weight and semi-automatic self propelled vacuum
cleaners. They are adaptable in other forms of structures of the
invention where remote power is desired. Within the structures of
FIGS. 5 and 8, the remote power shafts may be located in debris
ducts 20A, when 20A may serve as handle 12 and 12A.
FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the in dual form of this invention with
brush rolls 11 as brush roll 11C and 11D because they have
structures differently from those in FIG. 2 only by their drive
shafts 34 and 35. These brush rolls 11 also perform as nozzle 10
propelling members 11C and 11D; as such, they also rotate in
opposite directions. Its mode of operation provides the same side
sweeps because the nozzle propelling members 11 are also responsive
to handle 12 urging by twisting. Propelling member 11D is in
section to show the method for driving its twin 11C and for clarity
when viewing a different form in FIG. 15. Shaft 34 extends through
shaft 35 to fix and drive 11C. Shaft 35 is fixed to drive 11D.
Motor 13 may be placed as shown or removed entirely from above
nozzle 10 and carried on handle 12. It may continue to have its
splined shaft 21 fitted with suction pump 15 and pully 42. Pully 42
would remain as here illustrated to drive belt 41 which drives the
bigger pully 40 for speed reduction. Pully 40 drives shaft 39 which
has pulley 43 and gear 38 mounted for driving. Gear 38 drives gear
37 which is on shaft 35. Shaft 34 extends into the belt
transmission housing 47 to mount flat belt pully 44 under pully 43
and for both pulleys to be driven by flat belt 45. Thus, nozzle
propelling members 11C and 11D are rotated in opposite directions.
Gear transmission 46 is sealed about 37 and 38 in a conventional
manner. Both members 11 are rotated at the same speed.
In operation, when handle 12 is twisted out of neutral to the left,
for example, nozzle propelling members 11C has more weight placed
on it because propelling member 11D is lifted decreasing its
pressure on the work surface and its traction friction and a sweep
to the left commences. For a natural left sweep by a natural roll
of the operator's hand on handle 12, 11C must rotate in direction
for a left sweep. Handle 12 is normally fixed in a rigid manner to
nozzle 10 at about 45 degrees to the axis of the two propelling
members 11 to form a triangle having two of its points on the work
surface. One at the nozzle toe at the front of 11C and the other
point at the heel of the nozzle at the rear of 11D and the third
point is at the handle grip. When this triangle is vertical to the
work surface, a twist to the left will place pressure on 11C and a
twist to the right out of vertical will also place pressure on 11C,
both twists resulting in a left sweep in this form of structure
which is in dual arrangement of the nozzle propel members. This is
not applicable to the in tandem arrangement as in FIG. 2 because it
has been arranged to operate properly. To correct the problem, the
vertical plane of the triangle for the in dual structure of FIG. 9
must be set about 5 degrees out of parallel with a vertical plane
parallel to nozzle propelling members 11 so as to have a normal
neutral, counter rotation and cleaning posture. This arrangement of
the handle plane to the nozzle plane remains substantially parallel
but does permit the usual up to 5 degree left twist of handle 12
hand grip to cause a differential change in friction of the two
nozzle propelling members 11 on the work surface with 11C having
the greater friction. From the neutral friction posture of the two
members 11, a right twist of the handle lifts the toe causing a
differential in weight distribution of the two members 11 with the
one at the heel of the nozzle 11D now propelling nozzle 10 to the
right. Thus, the problem was solved. An urging of the handle
upwardly also results in a left sweep and an urging downwardly from
the neutral posture results in a right sweep. This was found to be
unnatural movements.
As a result, the structure of FIG. 15 was made to use the natural
urging of the handle by changing the motor speeds as will be seen.
It is also subject to the same raising and lowering urges of the
handle which the operator quickly learns to control. The change in
motor speeds resulted in smoother sweeps for the beginner but lost
the desired low profile front portion of nozzle 10. The low profile
was again obtained by setting the two motors in tandem as in FIG.
12 to drive the two members 11C and D of FIG. 15. Thus, motor 48A
is turned around and located alongside 48B to drive 11C. The wiring
on 48A was changed to rotate it in the same direction as 48B for
opposite roll rotation.
FIG. 10 is a front end view of FIG. 9 showing side brushes 24, as
in FIG. 4. They are required for fast sweeps when nozzle 10 is
tilted beyond 5 degrees.
FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of an alternative handle of the
invention in FIG. 2, which positions handle 12B and debris
container 25 above certain furniture. It also shows use of
alternative gear transmission of the conventional kitchen mixer
worm gear type. This handle shape readily adapts to the flexible
remoting shaft 33 in FIG. 8.
FIG. 12 is a schematic rear end view of a nozzle 10 illustrating
structure embodying the two nozzle propelling members of FIGS. 2 or
5 being individually driven by an electric motor. The twin motors
48 are located, side by side, above nozzle 10.
Nozzle 10 in this invention generally may pertain to the housing
about motors 48 as well as the portion substantially covering the
nozzle propelling members 11. Nozzle 10 also forms portions of the
debris intake.
FIG. 13 has been included to better show the structure of FIG. 12
in a side view. For example, motor 48A drives nozzle propelling
member 11A by belt pulley 50A, through belt 49A and pulley 51A as
seen in FIG. 12. Handle 12B is curved so as to carry its attached
members much as in FIG. 11. Motor 48B drives member 11B in like
manner.
Handle 12B, of FIGS. 12 and 13 is rigidly fixed to nozzle 10 unless
it is hinged and support wheel 17 is installed as pertains to the
foregoing structure of the invention. Nozzle propelling members 11A
and B are responsive to handle urging in a general manner as in the
foregoing structures, such as when handle 12B may be twisted a few
degrees to tilt nozzle 10. Nozzle propelling members 11A and B are
also responsive to differential speeds causing differential
friction on the work surface when driven at different speeds by
their respective drive motors 48A, 48B. These motors are in turn
responsive to natural urging of handle 12B by the operator
activating electrical switches on the handle grip. The switches are
of types conventionally designed. There are several simple methods
available to change speeds of motors. Handle 12B has a hand grip
12C at operator end rotatable to the handle for some ten degrees
either side of neutral motor speeds. A hardware type light dimmer
was mounted on the handle. Its rotary switch was made responsive to
a 10 degree left twist of the rotatable hand grip to reduce motor
48B speed about 20 percent. A second like switch was mounted close
by in the opposite direction to reduce the speed of motor 48A with
a twist up to 10 degrees. Both switches were spring loaded to
remain in full speed position when not being slowed by the handle
grip. The switches may be located in any conventional location so
long as they are satisfactorily activated in fewer degrees of twist
than those tested. This method of obtaining differential friction
for sweeping is a very stable and easy to operate method, somewhat
easier than the foregoing method of tilting the nozzle. Provision
for locking the hand grip in neutral makes both methods available.
An alternative to the nozzle location of motors 48A and B maybe
provided by the use of rigid or flexible remoting shafts as by
FIGS. 5 and 8.
FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of FIG. 12 with suction pumps 15
added when not supplied downstream by a conventional method. The
rotatable type hand grip 12C is shown.
FIG. 14 shows the rear end of a structure illustrating a low
profile embodiment wherein the two motors 48A and B of FIG. 12 are
re-located to lie between the nozzle propelling members 11 with the
axis of all four members substantially parallel and lying in a
plane. Nozzle 10 has nozzle baffle 10A defining a nozzle surface
disposed between the lower portions of nozzle propelling members
11A and B, substantially in the same plane of the lower margins
nozzle 10 and extending throughout the length of members 11A and B.
Baffle 10A encloses the bottom portions of motor 48A and B, and
provides a low friction surface when in contact with the work
surface and joins debris duct 20C wall portions 26A. Debris duct
20C is formed about member 11A and 11B and may be joined to form
one duct downstream in a conventional manner.
FIG. 15 illustrates an alternative form of FIG. 9 wherein the two
nozzle propelling members 11C and 11D are driven by individual
motors 48A and 48B by belt reduction transmissions as in FIGS. 12,
13 and 14. The purpose and technique was described in the foregoing
Figs.
FIG. 16 is a schematic bottom view of an alternative method of
self-propulsion of the invention wherein brush rolls 11E and 11F
may be the novel brush rolls 11A and 11B of the invention or
conventional brush rolls of the art which may be spaced and
supported in a conventional manner relative a work surface. These
brush rolls do not function as nozzle propelling members in this
description. This does not mean they cannot be so employed.
The structure of FIG. 16 is preferred to be used on work surfaces
for cleaning and dusting. On hard surfaces, handle 12 may be urged
into natural directions without self-propulsion when both brush
rolls 11E and F rotate at the same speeds and in opposite
directions and when the nozzle supporting wheels free-wheels as
follows. The brush rolls are individually driven by two motors 48A
and B as in the foregoing illustrations. Self-propulsion is
preferred as when operating on soft work surfaces but is not
required on hard surfaces. As in the foregoing illustrations, the
nozzle here is also propelled by the nozzle weight supporting and
propelling members. In this embodiment, the two opposite rotating
nozzle propelling members are coaxial with the brush rolls and are
of wheel type similar in shape to support wheels 17 and 18 in FIG.
2, but here designated as nozzle propelling members 53A and 53B on
the front of nozzle 10, and 52A and 52B on the rear of nozzle 10.
As the wheels are capable of free-wheeling, nozzle 10 may be urged
into side sweeps by wrist bending.
Nozzle propelling members 53 and 52, paired at toe and heel as
illustrated, may be fixed to their respective shafts 54A and 54B so
as to rotate at all times with their respective brush rolls and in
this connection become responsive to handle urging for a second
mode of side sweep operation. In this mode, twisting handle 12
results in differential friction of the two opposite rotating
propelling members on the work surface causing a side sweep. This
self propulsion is similar to the action of the embodiment in FIG.
2, both embodiments having smooth surfaced nozzle propelling
members operating on soft work surfaces like most carpeting
provides but one being brush rolls and the other here as
wheels.
A third mode of performing side sweeps is provided when nozzle
propelling members 52 and 53 free-wheel, in respect to shafts 54A
and 54B, until clutched by clutch 56A or 56B to rotate and
propelling nozzle 10 in a sweep. In example, in FIG. 17, shaft 54A
is rotated by motor 48A. Shaft 54A drives brush roll 11E, which is
not load bearing. When free-wheeling nozzle propelling member 52A
is clutched by wedge roller 55A, moving down against clutch disk
56A so as to press 56A against member 52A, 52A commences to rotate
on the work surface with greater friction than unclutched nozzle
supporting member 52B of FIG. 16. This differential friction
results in a sweep to the left when the direction of rotation of
shaft 54A corresponds. The speed of rotation of 52A may or may not
reach shaft 54A speed, depending on the work surface texture.
Clutch elements 56A and 55A may be of similar design to any of the
many friction clutches in clutch art. The mounting of 55A, so as to
be responsive to handle 12 twisting, requires some form of the many
types of available linkage with handle 12. Front nozzle supporting
wheels 53A and 53B may be located within or exterior to nozzle 10
with any of the methods cited above for their companion wheel type
nozzle propelling members 52A and 52B. There may be need for
propelling members 52A and 52B to be located in nozzle 10.
A fourth mode of performing side sweeps is wherein the nozzle
propelling members 52A and B are fixed to their respective driving
shafts and are responsive to handle urging through variations of
the speeds of motors 48A and 48B as described for the embodiment in
FIG. 12.
The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments is
illustrative of the broad inventive concepts comprehended by the
invention.
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